LONDON — Ridley Scott has found his Long John Silver. Hugh Jackman is set to headline the director’s upcoming adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s *Treasure Island*, marking an unexpected shift into high-seas adventure for the veteran filmmaker.
Production is slated to begin early next year, with Scott aiming for a gritty, grounded take on the 1883 literary classic. While previous adaptations have often leaned into the swashbuckling tropes of the golden age of piracy, sources close to the production suggest this version will lean harder into the psychological tension between Silver and the young protagonist, Jim Hawkins.
Jackman’s casting comes as a departure from his recent string of high-profile roles. Trading the razor-sharp claws of Wolverine for the peg-leg and pistol of the silver-tongued pirate, the 56-year-old actor is reportedly undergoing rigorous physical training to capture the character’s volatile, unpredictable nature.
Scott is reuniting with his longtime collaborators at Apple Studios, with a script penned by Steven Knight. Knight, known for his work on *Peaky Blinders*, has reportedly shifted the narrative focus, emphasizing the moral ambiguity that defines Silver—a man who is both mentor and monster to the young Hawkins.
The project has been in development limbo for nearly a decade, with various directors and leads attached to the pirate tale. Scott’s involvement finally pushed the production into active development, signaling a renewed interest from major studios in revitalizing classic adventure literature for modern audiences.
Casting for the role of Jim Hawkins is currently underway, with the production team looking for a newcomer to hold their own against Jackman’s seasoned screen presence.
For Scott, this represents a return to the historical epics that defined his early career. But for Jackman, it’s a gamble. Playing an iconic literary villain requires more than just a costume; it requires finding the humanity in a character defined by his ability to betray anyone at a moment’s notice.
